Mississippi

Mississippi is the Antebellum Capital of the South and is rich with Civil War history, being the site of several major battles and a 6,000 soldier cemetery. The Magnolia State is also an excellent place to golf and enjoy many outdoor activities such as hiking and rafting.

Beginning in Tunica, which is known as the state’s “Casino Capital,” we catch the US-61 N and 35 miles later we reach the town of Southaven, home to Snowden Grove Park. This impressive 17-field facility hosts World Series and National events and shouldn’t be missed by even the casual fan of baseball.

Since we’re in the “neighborhood,” we should scoot over the state line to Memphis and treat ourselves to a tour of Graceland – the home of Elvis himself. It’s a quick trip, taking us six miles down the I-55 N, where we merge with the I-240 N for five miles, then finally take the I-40 for a mile an a half. Once we get to Memphis, there are signs everywhere directing us to our destination. The tours are inexpensive and well worth the trip; one thing visitors are always surprised to discover is how small and homey the main house is. Various add-ons have been built since his death in 1977, including an awe-inspiring display of posthumously-earned gold records in a room that plays dynamic concert footage on enormous plasma wall-mounted screens. Be sure and grab a “peanut butter and ‘nana sandwich” at the nearby diner. It was Elvis’ favorite.

Out on the road, we head to Holly Springs back in Mississippi. Our somewhat circuitous route takes us down the I-40 E, the I-240 S, the I-240 E, the US-78 E and finally the MS-4 E. Holly Springs has several well-preserved antebellum-style homes and is the site of Rust College, an all-black liberal arts college established in the 1860s.

Twenty-one miles down the state Highway 7-S takes us to Oxford, home to the University of Mississippi, also known as “Ole Miss.” USA Today has ranked Oxford as one of the top 6 college towns in the country. “The Square,” Oxford’s town center, is filled with unique specialty shops, fine restaurants and historic edifices. Bob Dylan even wrote a song called “Oxford Town,” describing events that took place in and around the area.

If we jump onto the US-278-E for nearly 40 miles, we merge with the US-278 and stay on it for 12 miles, which brings us to Tupelo, which is very proud of its most famous son, as evidenced by the Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum. Since 1992, the museum has offered fans from all over the world the chance to see the house where Elvis was born and lived his formative years. Even if we’re not fans, it’s a monumental piece of music history and shouldn’t be missed.

Once we’re back on the road, we take the US-45 N approximately fifty miles to the city of Corinth, the site of the Civil War’s Siege of Corinth. This historical battle has the dubious distinction of being the most massive siege in the history of the Western Hemisphere, due to the sheer number of troops involved. The city of Corinth possesses the largest number and best preserved collection of Civil War earthworks, dating back to 1863. The historic downtown area is a must-see spot while we’re in town. Highlights include the Coliseum, a well-preserved 1000-seat movie- and vaudeville theater, and Borroum’s Drug Store, which has been in operation since 1869 and was established by Confederate Army surgeon Dr. A.J. Borroum and has been continuously operated by the same family since its inception.

For the Civil War buff, the rugged outdoorsman or woman, or the fan of rock and roll, Mississippi has something to attract and entertain, and bring us back time and time again.